Shanghai has been considered China’s silk capital for hundreds of years, but I’m entirely confident in my My A satin creations.

Reporter: What lead you to My A satin?
Mr Chung: I reached a cul-de-sac while seeking a new material for my final examination in a course I was talking in Milan, Italy in 2001. Foreigners already know about Vietnamese Ha Dong silk and ethnic brocade, so these materials were not in my favour. When observing an old family photo, I was impressed by the smooth black My A satin trousers that both my grandfather and mother wore. I immediately telephoned home to ask about their source and was disappointed to find out there was no one in Tan Chau silk involved in the job.

I came back home and headed to Tan Chau to persuade some villagers to continue their ancestors’ work. No words can describe my happiness when my fingers touched the satin one year later. It is a great result for the village’s weavers, myself and my supportive family.

With my Mo ve Chau A (Dream of Asia) collection of 20 My A satin creations, I successfully completed my final exam in Milan.
I have also used Tan Chau silk, another product of Tan Chau, in other collections.

The restoration of Tan Chau not only has a cultural meaning, but it also brought an encouraging economic result. I have received some contracts to export the material to France.

Reporter: You seem to find creative inspiration only from Vietnamese Ao Dai?
Mr Chung: Being involved with fashion for 10 years helped me capture the unique beauty of our traditional dress – the dress that has given me endless inspiration. Thanks to an Ao Dai creation of mine I received the Excellent Designer prize at the Makuhari International Fashion Contest in Japan in 1997. The prize is a milestone in my career.

It can be said Vietnamese traditional culture brought me my successes. I am sure I would not be anywhere without it, because Asia is a new creative inspiration guiding leading designers.

Reporter: Where will your Ao Dai creations be presented?
Mr Chung: After Shanghai, two other performances entitled Vo Viet Chung and Vietnamese Ao Dai are scheduled to take place in Australia and New Zealand in October. I will also participate in Singapore’s Fashion Week in November where I will present 40 creations from my men’s collection.

VNS